Catherine could feel everyone's eyes boring into her. What had they expected- a lie? Half of them knew the truth before the words had left Mercer's mouth, yet none had stuck up for her. Even Jack who'd protested to the whole conversation had said nothing since. She was a castle which had suddenly had all of its defences disappear. There was no way she could shield herself from the oncoming and inevitable attack. More questions would be asked and everything that had happened would be held up for the whole world to see.

Why hadn't they helped her? Why weren't they helping her? Anything would help right now. An explanation, a joke, anything. But no- all they did was contribute to this awful silence. She silently wished she hadn't said the truth. Why hadn't she laughed it off or exposed Mercer as a liar? He had lied about plenty other things- so why didn't she just say this was another of them? Catherine knew why. She couldn't lie; not to him.

'I'm sorry.' she whispered. Her eyes were now looking at the floor- she didn't want to see the hatred, fear, distrust and sadness in everyone's eyes.

'Sorry? You're sorry? You…. Killed him and you're just sorry?' Elizabeth spat.

Catherine just shook her head. Yes, she was sorry about the governor's death- but what she had just said hadn't been directed at Elizabeth. She had been thinking about everything, about everything that had happened after she'd escaped Beckett's grasp. It was too late too change it now. She was sorry for most of it but a part of her didn't feel guilty. That part of her was the same part which had laughed earlier when Will had asked her if it was true. The same part which had caused her to befriend Bill and Jack in the first place.

She felt angry for feeling guilty. What was she doing moping like a child? Children let sadness overcome them. Catherine had done what she had needed to do. Why couldn't they understand that? She opened her mouth to speak and-

'Wait.' A voice came from across the room. It was the crew member Catherine had failed to recognise. She'd seen him before but never learnt his name. He was young, too young by the looks of it and had brown unkempt hair which covered half his face.

'Sorry… I just-' His face flushed with embarrassment as he continued. 'I just need to ask something.'

Elizabeth looked at him scornfully and made an incomprehensible noise. Will looked angry as well but stayed silent. Barbossa just rolled his eyes.

'What be yer problem lad?' Barbossa asked

'Why are we fighting? Shouldn't we be doing something to escape?' The boy answered still slightly embarrassed.

'Best not talk about escape plans with the enemy in the room.' Gibbs said motioning towards Mercer.

'And if you have any idea how to escape this godforsaken ship, than pray, tell us.' Elizabeth added sardonically.

'Bargain.' He offered simply.

'But to bargain you need something to offer,' She replied still in a scathing tone of voice.

'What about this?' He asked pulling out something in a black cloth out of his pocket. He slowly started to unwrap it.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

'Sir.'

A voice woke Cutler Beckett out of his reflective mood. Nothing like sitting down with a glass of port and musing on life. Especially when everything seemed to be going your way. If everything had gone according to plan soon the Caribbean would be rid of pirates. And that meant no competition.

'Yes. Mister Harris. What is it this time?' Beckett asked wearily. He really couldn't be bothered to deal with another one of Harris's problems today.

'You've just been invited to some sort of ball, sir and-'

'Is that it? Another boring ball where I'll be forced to listen to boring conversation, about the weather, no doubt. Tell them I'm busy. I can't stand another one. No intellectual talk at all.' He took a sip from his glass and leant his head back.

'I'll tell them sir.' Harris replied.

'Good. Now leave me be.'

'There's something else as well Sir.'

Beckett sighed and flicked his hand in the air. 'Very well.' He said exasperatedly. 'Come over here and tell me.'

Harris walked over to where Beckett was sitting and turned to face him. Beckett looked up at him and waited for him to speak.

'We've found a man. He claims to know where the Pirate Brethren is situated.'

'Interesting…' Beckett whispered almost to himself. He took another sip before continuing. 'Who is he?'

'He claims to be the infamous Charles Vane Sir. He said something about his ship 'The Adventurer' being destroyed. I don't know if it's true Sir.'

'I see… Let me talk to him.'

'Of course Sir. But before I bring him in I would like to ask you something Sir.'

'Yes…' Beckett sighed again.

'This Charles Vane. Is he any relation to the woman your spies saw the fugitives pick up in Tortuga?'

'I would guess so.' Beckett answered

'Well… Can't we ask him for information about her?'

Beckett raised an eyebrow. 'I know you haven't been working for me long Harris. But I'll tell you this. I know everything about that girl which is relevant. She's played her part wonderfully, although most likely unknowingly. And this relative, if in fact he is one, will not be told of her- understand?'

'Yes Sir.'

'Good. Bring him in before I get bored of this conversation.'

Harris bowed and left the room while Beckett helped himself to another glass of port. There were a few minutes of silence before Harris entered the room again.

'Here he is Sir.' He said.

'Leave us.' Beckett demanded. Harris bowed once more and left.

Beckett inspected his visitor. His long, dirty blonde hair was tied in a dirty and untidy pony-tail. His clothes were extremely dirty and he had more than a passing resemblance to Norrington when he had been in Beckett's office. Charles and Beckett stared at each other for quite a while, each looking at the other for signs of weakness.

'The Brethren…' Beckett began.

'Yes.' Replied Charles, his voice was coarse and had a thick quality to it.

'You know where they are.'

'Yes.'

'Will you tell me?'

'For a price.' Charles grunted.

'As these things always are. Tell me- you who revelled in piracy. Why have you decided to betray your own company?' Beckett smiled a ghastly grin.

'Most men in my position yer see. They sell their soul t' the devil. Get what they want. Like Sparra' did. But you control the devil now. So I went to see you instead.'

'Ah. Desperate times and measures. But what do you want?'

'Me own ship. An' the chance t' kill Sparra'.' Charles answered.

'Yes. Tell me where the Brethren are and you'll get your ship. But I want to kill Jack Sparrow.'

'As ye wish. I've no interest in Jack. It's his father I want.'

'His father? That's fine by me. I'll tell you what I'll do- I'll get you a ship and you can take that ship, crewed by my men to where the Brethren are. Then if you're telling the truth, you'll go back to Port Royal and be able to do as you choose. Understand?' Beckett finally finished his proposition and took another sip out of his glass.

'Fine. Will you be accompanying me?'

'Of course. Out of interest, actually where are the Pirate Brethren?'

'Singapore.'

'Ah. We'll leave in the morning. Leave me now.' Beckett ordered.

After Charles had left, Harris entered the room.

'Harris! Pack my things. We're going to Singapore.' Beckett commanded still sat in his chair.

'Of course. But Sir, What about Lady Beckett? She'll insist that she comes.'

'Ah.' Beckett's face fell. 'She can't come, it's too dangerous. Not the place for a woman.'

'She's expressed a wish to go sailing with you many times.'

'I know that.' Beckett spat through clenched teeth. 'But I will not let her see me when I'm… When I'm…'

'Like this?'

'Shut up.'

A/N Yes. At last I have finished. I've had to re-write this like five times. And having writer's block hasn't help either… So three new characters were introduced in this chapter and I hope the sort-of cliff-hanger isn't too bad. Two people already know who the new crewmember is but I won't spoil it for anyone else. Hope this didn't totally suck. R & R please.